Rievaulx Abbey, Helmsley - Added to English Heritage in Yorkshire and the Humber

Where to fly your drone in the UK
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I have just added this to the map of places to fly your drone at Drone Scene:

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

Was just a quick impromtu visit as was having lunch in nearby Helmsley. The Abbey is an English Heritage property so watch out for any overzelous staff. There are the usual English Heritage on-site amenities available including parking.

Rievaulx Abbey is a historic monastery located near Helmsley in North Yorkshire, England. Founded in 1132 by Cistercian monks from Clairvaux, it became one of England's most powerful and wealthy abbeys and is renowned for its stunning Gothic architecture, large arches and intricate stonework. Even as a ruin, it showcases the grandeur of medieval monastic life.
Nestled in a tranquil valley, surrounded by the North York Moors, it offers breathtaking views and a sense of seclusion, reflecting the monks' desire for peace and contemplation.
The abbey was a religious, economic, and cultural hub, with monks leading a life of prayer, study, and labour. They also managed vast estates and were skilled in agriculture and sheep farming.
At its peak, the Abbey housed over 140 monks and 500 lay brothers, making it a major influence in the Cistercian order and the local economy. Like many others, the abbey fell into decline after the Dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII in 1538, when it was stripped of its wealth and abandoned.
Managed by English Heritage, the Abbey is a popular tourist destination and visitors can explore its ruins, learn about its history through the museum, and enjoy the serene surroundings.
Rievaulx Abbey stands as a striking testament to medieval monastic life and holds a significant place in England's religious and cultural heritage. Its impressive ruins continue to captivate visitors, offering a glimpse into its storied past and a serene space for reflection.

There are a couple of places on the adjacent road to TOAL and maintain VLOS and if it's not too busy you can park on the roadside.

The originator declared that this location was not inside a Flight Restriction Zone at the time of being flown on 02/11/2024. It remains the responsibility of any pilot to check for any changes before flying at the same location.

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I’ve flown here too @D0c.Col :grin:

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@ChrisM Was surprised it hadn’t been pinned TBH, Chris. :hugs:

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Oops that’s probably me being lazy!
I responded in detail to a members question in 2022 but forgot to enter in dronescene.
At the time I also referred him to nearby Bylands Abbey.

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@ChrisM I’ll add Bylands to my list. :+1:

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I flew here a couple of years ago when a woman who said she worked at the Abbey interrupted my flight to inform me that I shouldn’t be flying at the location as there were, she said, children in their garden and I was a pervert. I was using my DJI Mini 4 Pro at 120m high and nowhere near the houses. I offered to show her the video footage to try to dispel her concerns but she started shouting and swearing at me and my wife. It turned out that she was just a cleaner in the visitor centre. I think her name must have been Karen.
We did get some lovely shots of a beautiful Abbey and no children were filmed in the process!

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@Mikero53 You were very polite Mike, for sure. Kept away from the houses, crowds, although I did fly over people and I Was between the cliff and the Abbey wall in a public space.

Didn’t try to hide and had 3 spotters. Not a soul said owt and I had my mini 4P too. Admire ya cool, buddy. :hugs: